A sculpture by David Fine

Art in today's world presents a subject for conjecture - a changing world based on developing methods of design, the use of new and varied materials and the use of computer-aided planning which has brought innovative dimensions and approaches. Through the ages and especially today countless artists search for different methods of expression; presently, one mode of variations in artistic expression is highly questioned and that is sculpting.

A visit to the opening of an exhibition in the gallery at Kibbutz Machanaim caused me to become aware of this. A close friend was one of the exhibitors - David Fine, born in South Africa, instilled with Zionism at home and in school, David volunteered for the Haganah and arrived in the newly established State of Israel in 1948. His passion for art had developed from an early age in Johannesburg when already he was captivated by the feel and usage of stone. His new life in Israel brought him north and was shaped in Kibbutz Mayan Baruch where he fell in love not just with his future wife but with the huge and ancient basalt rocks that lined the slopes they cleared.

Studies in architecture at the Haifa Technion and at Bezalel were put aside as he felt the calling to return to kibbutz life, his loved one and the rocks that awaited him. However, they had to wait some years as his kibbutz responsibilities and everyday life took over. Eventually he found time to form ties with the world of art and to begin to sculpt. He started in marble but basalt had entered his soul and imagination, calling him to sculpt the rocks into forms that would pay homage to and enhance their natural surroundings.

There were another two exhibitors in the exhibition with David - Tooley Bowman of Kibbutz Amir and Igal Meron of Kibbutz Ayelet HaShachar, both of whom also use other forms of expression in their art as well as sculpting. All three artists have produced works for decades, thus witnessing and being part of the changing scene in art forms; all have sculptures and examples of their work, both shown in exhibitions and permanently placed on sites in Israel and abroad. The three artists were also responsible for the introduction and development of the very successful yearly contemporary art exhibitions that were held in Tel Hai.

I must admit to finding their choice of subject for this exhibition ‘interesting’ – ‘Sex = Communication’ and this idea, depicted by men who are – (may I say ‘senior’?) - led to many raised eyebrows and interesting opinions. After the opening and time to view the exhibition, visitors were invited to partake in a discussion about the future of sculpture.

In order to make a living nowadays, artists must be aware of the in-syndrome – what is popular – what architects want in their buildings and other projects – how will those with money decorate their homes? It has been said, "Modern art is produced by incompetents, sold by charlatans and bought by ignoramuses."   New ways were sought as not all sculptors had the time or the financial means to work for weeks or months in bronze or various stones such as marble, limestone, porphyry and granite. In a changing world affected by the industrial revolution, sculptors began to use even mechanical parts of motor cars and various types of machinery as well as raw iron, steel, concrete and since the 60s plastic, aluminum and fiberglass. Picasso used bicycle parts for one of his works and there are countless other examples. The production of sculptures is now an ever-changing scene, and as David said, ‘a reflection of our times’. However he personally feels that one should relate to one's own art, to basics and expressing more human emotions, and this is what he continues to do.

Tooley Bowman, who is autodidactic, believes in and finds change interesting and a continual lure to various forms of self-expression. The black and white etchings a la Kama Sutra that were on show were prepared – but not eventually submitted - for an exhibition of erotic art in La Coruna, Spain, one of the world's leading centers for art exhibitions. It is interesting to note that early in his life, Picasso himself lived for a period in that city and there commenced with his ideas for a free rein to creativity – but then only in a simple but childish style. This, perhaps, provided the idea of the subject for the exhibition.

Yigal Meron studied at Oranim Art Institute but also learnt the skills of sculpture, drawing, etching and even photography with the aid of other established artists. Yigal believes in all the progress and changes that modern technology has brought to the fields of art: "Even learning is no longer as it was – there are new tools, materials, methods, changes brought about by computerization. Modern life has brought huge changes to the world of art and even nonprofessionals are drawn to experiment with all the forms of design now available," he says.

The response I had from a friend of mine, a lecturer in art, when I put the question to her was: "Who wants to see an artist banging away on a piece of stone all day long? There are much better and pertinent ways to create art today." I rest my case!